Daniel Peterson, long a conservative political activist, has jettisoned the GOP and joined ranks with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a fellow Mormon, to lead the fight for more comprehensive gun control legislation. Specifically Peterson will labor in Utah, (where he is a professor at The BYU) in an effort to bring some semblance of sanity to Utah’s current gun culture. When pressed for a comment, Peterson replied: “‘Interpret’ it how you want–but after Mitt’s dismal showing last year and the GOP’s future prospects, I’ve decided to lead a new and more positive, constructive life.” There have apparently also been discussions of Peterson leaving the newly formed Interpreter A Journal of Mormon Scripture–an online Mormon Apologetic publication–to take a position as the social media editor for Dialogue, a Journal of Mormon Thought. Neither Peterson, or Kristine Haglund (Dialogue’s current Editor–and shoe fashion guru) could be reached for further comment.

There’s been much ado lately in the media, Bloggernacle, (also herehere, here,here and a whole bunch of other places as well) and even Facebook about Mormon Feminists calling for women to wear pants to Church on Sunday, 12/16/12, (hereinafter Pants’ Sunday). Now, in the Mormon tradition and culture, women traditionally have worn dresses or skirts to Church on Sundays; however, there is no formal dress code in place, and the institutional Church does not have or enforce such a dress code. (more…)

I’m not certain what’s going on with John Dehlin and his Mormon Matters Blog—but from all accounts it looks to be a massacre in the classic sense of the word. There are several good posts up already in the Bloggernacle about this debacle where you can get most of the details. See Faith Promoting Rumor’s Elder Jensen and the Exploitation of the Sacred Moments, and Times and Seasons post Credible Criticism. I’m sure there are likely others as well. (more…)

Lots of noise today from the political right. Lots of discussion about “restoring honor to America” and “getting back to God.” On this I can agree with those who so proclaim from the nation’s capitol, today. The path, however, lies through keeping the commandments, and not adhering to the philosophies of men. America has strayed from Her primary purpose as the Cradle of the Restoration, but not through any political sins–so called. Rather, Her people like many before have strayed from the Commandments of God, and no longer worship Jesus Christ. This is where America’s fundamental problem lies.

The solution is rather simple–but most, likely will not see it because of the simplicity. If we truly want to restore honor to America and get back to God, we should begin to keep His Commandments and we will prosper in the land. The best way to do that is to follow the Brethren, not Beck. We will restore much more honor to America and get much closer to God by reading more of the Scriptures, praying more to God, serving others, than by all the breast beating and pontificating from Washington D.C. Choose you this day . . .